Building leaders using education & local projects

Thank you so much for supporting the PATHWAYS scholars. We are happy to report to you on the progress of our fourth year scholar Brian who is in medical school at the University of Nairobi and our third year scholar Isaac who is majoring in education also at the University of Nairobi (see below). In addition, we are very proud of one of our very first scholars, Levis, who was chosen as a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow which is a competitive merit based fellowship for young African leaders. He spent more than 6 weeks this summer in the US being trained in on various aspects of leadership. Levis says, “Washington DC was an amazing experience for me and sharing the same room with President Obama was quite something.”

Brian

Well, it has been one of the most tasking moments in Medical School ever. We have been working round the clock to meet the ward requirements as well as fill our log books. Many are the times we have spent close to 10 hours in the ward. We have had to forego the weekend luxury because we were on-call on all the weekends and ended up spending the time in the A&E. Well this the reason I dislike any medical specialty and have preference to Surgery.

On the other hand, I have witnessed miracles happening in the medical wards. I have seen patients who came in at the verge of death, totally unconscious with severe infection. After a few days of treatment, they are well and ready to go home. Among many frustrations this is what has kept us motivated. HIV is a huge burden here, close to 40% of admissions are infected with the virus. Which means we still have a long way to go as a country. However in our efforts such as peer counseling and community awareness, we believe we will this war against HIV.

I am grateful for your support.

Isaac

My teaching practice that took three months,was one of its kind having the best experience in my lifetime and career. This was a turning point in life because I have been made to realize where I belong in the society. I had the best time with my students, teachers and school at large who gave a shoulder to lean on whenever i needed one. At the end of the three months, i have been recommended the best teacher who was available whenever I was needed. Upon finishing of the teaching practice, we were called upon by the university to have exams that we had missed due to post election chaos we experienced. Our community project is still well taken care of and we have incorporated another orphan child as a beneficiary. He is in standard two now. Produce from our garden continues to be sold at market to benefit our group members. I would to sincerely thank Global Giving and Pathways as a family for the far they have taken me. I really can't tell where I could be without you.

We are extremmly grateful for your continued support in this program to develop future leaders through education and leading community development projects.

Thank you so much for supporting the PATHWAYS scholars. Today we want to report on our annual conference that was held from April 30 to May 1, 2016 at the PEC House in Nairobi. The program was run by third year scholar Eric Lemungesi, who emphasized the need for group cohesion by discussing the proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together”. Among the speakers were Michael Murigi (alumnus) on the topic of leadership and integrity in Kenya and Joy Mbaabu on the importance of communication, especially in the way of expectations. Time was taken to discuss the importance of wellness, physical as well as mental, and even everyone participated in a short yoga class. Finally, as a fun exercise and to think about where their life path is headed, the scholars wrote what they think their epitaphs would be (see below).

1 Erick:“1994-2070.”Eric was a peace loving person who brought smiles to many. He will be highly remembered for many good things he has done. May his soul rest in eternal life”

2 Marilyn : “Daktari always walked in the light. May she R. I. P…”

3 Samuel:“Samuel fought for the rights of people…”

4 Isaac:“He achieved his goals. May he R. I. P….”

5 Ascarnancy:“Ascar was a joyful person who put a roof over the heads of many…”

6 Catherine:“BORN: 29.12.1991,SUNSET: …“You were a great leader, have treated many, you are irreplaceable. We love youbut god loved you more

7 Annastacia:“A professor with a name i.e. mama Lucy…”

8 Monicah:“Here lies a woman who inspired many and gave her all to the community…”

9 Justas:“A great teacher of his time…”

10 Brian:“Was a true leader who helped many to build destinies…”

11 Shadrack:“Your body can be dead but millions of your big heart are alive…”

The conference was a good opportunity to share and learn from each others' experiences with university as well as community projects. We are extremmly grateful for your continued support in this program to develop future leaders through leading community development projects.

Thank you so much for supporting the PATHWAYS scholars. Today we want to report on the progress of fourth year scholars Brian and Marilyn, who are both majoring in medicine at the University of Nairobi and Eunita, who recently graduated in nursing from the University of Nairobi.

Brian

Here in Kenya, I am fairing on well. I would like to inform you that I have reported back to school after a fruitful long holiday. I am now a finalist. I look forward to graduating at the end of this year. The academic year has started on a high note, lots of course work and clinical work. I have started my rounds in Surgery where I will be for the next three months. I am very excited seeing that this marks the final year of my undergraduate course.

I really want to thank you for your generous contribution through PATHWAYS. This has ensured that I progress seamlessly in my studies plus it has allowed me to build my leadership skills through assisting my community with various projects ranging from the growing of aloe vera to developing a table banking or small savings and loan program.

Many thanks.

Marilyn

I am doing well in medical school, currently rotating in surgery. Being that it is our final year, we are doing a lot of hands on procedures in preparation for the real deal out there.

In December I was in Kisumu for my elective term. I was working with an organization FACES Kenya, that deals with HIV care and treatment. My area of focus was on pediatric HIV treatment.

The girls in my village that we are mentoring are expecting their test results later this week. I hope they will do well despite the exam irregularities that were reported last year.

Eunita

I am happy to have graduated from nursing school. The graduation fared on well. For our school of health sciences we are normally not put into various classes. However, i graduated with an aggregate of 76.6 points. My mum, younger brother, uncle, aunt and a friend were in attendance. After the graduation ceremony, we took lunch and some photos after which we immediately left to travel up country for thanks giving ceremony. It was an enjoyable ceremony with the pastor invited. We had a great session together. Attached is a photo we took on the graduation day.

Up to this moment i have not been able to join any health facility since we didn't have transcripts. It is at this time that we are collecting our transcripts and certificate. I am yet to register for our licensing examinations by the Nursing Council of Kenya which is due on 14th and 15th of April this year. Our internship should also commence around April.

I appreciate the support of our GlobalGiving friends in giving us the opportunity to both lead a community project and gain an education.

Thank you so much for supporting the PATHWAYS scholars. Today we want to report on the progress of fourth year scholar Brian, majoring in medicine, and second year scholar Shadrack, majoring in Education at the University of Nairobi.

Brian

Warm greetings from Kenya. I write to inform you of my progress to school and life and general as well as to express my gratitude for your continued support.

I successfully completed my fourth year of medical school which turned out to be the most intense so far. Lots of learning and hard work. The academic year ended at the end of September after which I joined the National Referral Hospital for a two-month elective period. The elective was very much involving and I got to learn more as well as prepare for my final year. I am done with my electives and I have started my December holiday. My plans for the holiday include visiting several schools alongside a group of friends to give motivational talks as well as Christmas gifts. I will also take time to visit a community project back at home run by fellow villagers.

Shadrack

I have worked with my community group UBORA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT to write a constitution. Our main mission is to utilize the available resources by the group to improve the living standards of its members and the society. Our vision is to empower the youth for a better future and our mission is to facilitate an enabling environment for the youth by utilizing the available limited resources

1.4.5: To train and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship among youth.

1.4.6: To enable the youth in the achievement of vision 2030.

We are a non-political, non-religious, non-tribalistic, antiracist and not gender base or (and) not biased to any disability and our main activities are Table Banking, Meetings, Outings, innings and retreats, Parties and Investment projects.

I appreciate the support of our Global Giving friends in giving us this start to organize and progress.

Thank you so much for supporting the PATHWAYS scholars. Today we want to report on the progress of fourth year scholar Justus and second year scholar Shadrack, both of whom are majoring in Education at the University of Nairobi.

Justus

I am at my home village awaiting graduation which will be in December. You recall I am graduating in Education and plan to be a teacher. I am currently teaching in a school around here just to get experience and some money for the upkeep of me and my family. Everything else here is fine too, we have received a little rain here since last week and we hope to get more.

About my project,t he table banking is moving on well and people appreciate the project. Moreover, the tutoring for the students in my village is progressing well. It was especially helpful to the students who were at home for a month following the nationwide teachers strike. Because of my project, hey had books and held classes each day and that took them along until the schools re-opened.

I appreciate your support of my project that has improved the educational and economic opportunities for young people in my village.

Justus

Shadrack

I wish to communicate the following about my project which involves teaching girls to make reusable sanitary towels so that they can not miss days at school.

I visited the patenting office of the university of Nairobi and the lab in charge of innovations in the university recently. I learned that the university has patented the innovation for us and not as the university property. That was good news.

The team dealing with the Nairobi international trade fair week will be in our campus to assess our project. We were selected to represent the University as the best innovation this year.

It has been very excited seeing our reusable sanitary towel project receive such good support during this innovation competition at the university.

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